The Oldest Map of London, 1559 – City of London, Westminster, Southwark
This is the first and oldest “real” map of London, based on surveys of London between 1547 and 1559 – Elizabethan London.
This map looks great at all sizes: 12×16 inches (31x41cm), 18×24 inches (45.5x61cm) and 24×36 inches (61×91.5cm), but it looks even better when printed large.
I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 70 inches across (180cm). Please get in touch if you’re looking for larger, customised or different framing options.
The model in the listing images is holding the 36×24 inch (91.5x61cm) version of this map.
The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.
Please note that at 12×16 inches (30x40cm) the writing is very small. The map is still very attractive, but you will struggle to read the smallest labels
If you’re looking for more options, I have another interesting Old Map of London map by Georg Braun in 1572.
The City of London is already built up, but Westminster is just a few streets – and the connecting roads between Westminster and the City are lined with fields and trees.
Southwark has started developing – but Lambeth is literally just a marsh with Lambeth Palace on the Thames.
Many of London’s landmarks are already visible on this map, though most of them are spell quite differently! For example, there’s Allgate – or Aldgate as it’s known today. Moor Gate – Moorgate. The Spitel Fields – Spitalfields. Howlburne… Holborn! Charyncros… Charring Cross!
Some of the other streets and places you can see on this map include: Somerset House, Tower of London, London Bridge, Bishopsgate, Blackfriars, St Pauls (still with its tall spire), Smithfield, Barbican, Charterhouse, Clerkenwell and Tower Hill.
This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father’s Day, work leaving or housewarming gift for someone from London or who has London in their heart.
This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you’d like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.
